TRIBUTES AFTER MAN'S FOUR-YEAR CANCER BATTLE THAT STARTED WITH
MOLE DISCOVERY A MUM-OF-TWO has paid tribute to her husband who died
after a four-year battle with cancer which started when she spotted a
mole on his arm.

Mountain leader and outdoorsman Pete Bursnall was diagnosed with
melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - in April 2008. Despite
operations and chemotherapy and fighting to maintain an active life,
Pete died at home in Llanberis on January 5, aged 45.

His wife Aila said that after his funeral at Bangor, a number of
people - including their 10-year-old son Owen - cycled 10-miles to Plas
Menai watersports centre to celebrate his life. Aila said: "We did
a lot of crying but Owen said: 'I was glad I did the ride. It was
great, I loved it'."

Aila was inundated with flowers from the funeral as well as a
boxful of cards and letters from wellwishers including politicians such
as Arfon AM Alun Ffred Jones.

Aila said: "Pete worked in management and team development. He
was an advisor for the Welsh Government on tourism."

A mountain instructor, Pete had been a member of a number of rescue
teams.

Born in Crewe, he attended Ysgol Brynrefail and Sheffield
University.

Chemist and health and safety expert Aila said: "I met him at
the Heights in Llanberis in 1992 and that was it. It was like a
thunderbolt.

"There was chemistry, something happened between us. We went
to a party and we haven't been apart since.

"Pete was big and muscular. He did a lot of rowing. He was a
very fit man."

Aila said: "After having children we wanted to show them Wales
and all the fun things you can do.

"Our whole life was the kids. We'd go kayaking, mountain
biking, walking, coasteering... it's what we did most weekends,
pack our gear and go out for an activity."

Pete wrote his first of three books - Mid Wales Mountain Bike Rides
- when he was only 25, and was dedicated to bringing up Owen and
Riannon, eight.

Aila said: "They have had a whole life time with their father,
much more time than other kids."

"Pete's enthusiasm was infectious.

He'd make things fun for people.

"Despite cancer tumours being found in Pete's neck and
stomach last summer, he did the Slateman triathlon in Llanberis in May
and Sandman triathlon in Newborough in September."

After the cancer re-emerged, Pete had chemotherapy in Clatterbridge
but even then, in November, managed to lead his family to safety after
an electrical fire at their home.

On December 23, Pete was quite ill and had to stay at Ysbyty
Gwynedd.

Aila said: "When he overheard a doctor speaking to a
Welsh-speaking patient who couldn't understand him because of his
accent, Pete got out of his bed and helped to translate.